Martz: 'Our Founding Fathers' lecture series at Midland library

Jan Martz

Published 7:00 am, Sunday, September 18, 2016

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Jan Martz

Jan Martz

Martz: 'Our Founding Fathers' lecture series at Midland library

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Our country was shaped by several larger than life personalities and events. This fall, the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library in Midland is presenting a series of four free lectures, entitled “Our Founding Fathers,” that will look at how these people and events still have an effect on where we are today.

Please join us on Thursday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. as Ryan Petersen from Delta College explains “Who Were the Founding Fathers?” Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Hamilton and the other founders were not shining stars, but imperfect human beings — much like us — who nevertheless achieved political greatness. While often viewed as a quarrelsome bunch, this group of lawyers, merchants, politicians and military men were able to transcend their differences and forge a new nation.

One of the most well-known of the founders was Thomas Jefferson. As crafter of the Declaration of Independence, the first Secretary of State and the third president of the United States, Jefferson’s ideals of democracy are the basis for much of our government today. On Oct. 6, Gregory Havrilcsak from the University of Michigan-Flint will explore “Thomas Jefferson: Conflicts & Ambiguities.” His talk will highlight Jefferson the statesman, the writer, the scientist, the student of philosophy, and his role in the formation of our country.

On Nov. 3, we will be treated to a two-act play on the life of John and Abigail Adams entitled “My Dearest Friend.” Gary Mitchell and Mary Beth Quillin, from Gem Theatrics in Grand Rapids will make history come alive with their first-person account of the lives and love between John and Abigail Adams. With dialogue heavily based on letters between the couple, the play gives new insights into the strengths and struggles of their relationship during the trying times from the Declaration of Independence through the Revolutionary War and Adams’ presidency.

Certainly, the founder Alexander Hamilton has taken center stage, literally, as the subject of the Broadway play, “Hamilton.” But who was he really? Join us Dec. 1 and find out as Dr. Andrew Wehrman from Central Michigan University shares his story in, “Alexander Hamilton: The Ten Dollar Founding Father.” Drawing insights from Hamilton’s extraordinary life and with tie-ins to the musical, Dr. Wehrman will help us understand how Hamilton came from obscurity to become one of our most influential founders. From his tremendous ambitions to overcome the disadvantages of his youth, Hamilton is remembered as a co-author of the Federalist Papers, establishing a national banking system, and losing his life in a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr.

We hope that you can join us for this free lecture series. All the programs will begin at 7 p.m. in the Library Auditorium on the following Thursdays: Sept. 22, Oct. 6, Nov. 3; and Dec. 1. For students through seniors, the Founding Fathers have a tale worth telling.

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Learning about these intriguing men of history can continue beyond the programs. The library offers many other resources on our Founding Fathers and the Declaration of Independence.